Retaining device



Oct. 25, 1932. I D BARROWS 1,884,519

RETAINING DEVICE Filed May 19, 1928 v gnoc'nfoo FIG. 5 V Donald 5 Barrows Patented Get. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT mace A DONALD S. BARROWS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIG-NOR TO THE S-YMINGTON COMPANY, OF NEW 'YORK, N. 'Y., A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND RETAINING DEVICE Application filed May 19, 1928. Serial No. 279,085.

This invention relates to retaining devices and more particularly to such adapted for connection with draft keys to prevent undesired removal thereof.

,. The principal object of invention, generally considered, is the provision of an 1mproved key retainer adapted for application to one or both ends of draft keys for preventing undesired removal or loss thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a draft key retainer comprising a looped member fitting over or encircling the end of an associated draft key, the upper and lower portions of said retainer being provided with apertures registering with a corresponding aperture in the associated key for receiving a connecting pin, and an associated pin formed with a head for limiting downward movement thereof and a bifurcated or split end adapted to be spread in place after insertion to prevent undesired withdrawal thereof.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a retainer adapted to be economically manufactured by casting, if desired, and formed of such a size as to fit around an end of a draft rigging key, said retainer preferably being formed with a reinforcing bead or rib around the inner or sill-adjacent side thereof and provided with relatively large apertures through the upper and lower portions thereof, said bead being extended to form bosses around the apertured portions of said retainer, said apertures being preferably elongated, and of corresponding formation whereby said retainer may be applied either side up, and a pin formed with a split end adapted to be spread in place in the direction of elongation of said apertures the other end being headed and formed with a shank 4 portion adjacent said head elongated to fit in the corresponding aperture for preventing turning of said pin.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the parts will become-apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawing illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:

a Figure 1 is a plan of one form ofmy retainer, an associated draft keybeing diagrammatically illustrated by dot and dash V mes.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the-retainer shown in Figure 1, the end of the associated key being shown diagrammaticallyby dot and dash lines. Y i i Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the retainer shown in Figures 1 and 2 detached, from the associated key. Figure 4: is a fragmentary view correspondmg to Figure 2, but showing a modification. Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the line 55 of Figure 4, lookingin the direction of the arrows, the pin only being shown.

Referring to the drawing in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters, and first considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1,2 to

and 3, a retainer 1 is shown applied to one end of an associated draft rigging key 2. Although said retainer is shown applied to a conventional form of horizontal key ordinarily employed with Farlow draft rigging, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to such use, as my retainer may be used for other purposes. Although I have shown only one end ofthe key 2, it will be I understood that the other. end may either so be the same as illustrated and have a retainer applied thereto, orv may be headed in a conventional manner, as will be under stood. V v

In the form of my invention illustrated, the retainer comprises just two parts, a looped or washer member 8 and'a headed pin 4. The pin is preferably of relatively large diameter corresponding, for example, to a brake hanger pin, whereby it is amply strong and readily manufactured. The loop or washer member 3 is desirably formed by casting, although it may be made in any desired manner and comprises upper and 1 lower approximately triangular portions 5 a; joined by curved end portions 6,'leaving an elongated aperture 7 therebetween adapted toreceive the key 2 with normal clearance therebetween. The clearance provided is .Suficient to permit application of'a washer over the end of the key and normal angling of said washer in service upon corresponding angling of the associated key 2. The inner side or that adapted to engage the associated sill or cheek plate of a car, is preferably reinforced by beadin or ribbing 8 of a width corresponding wi the end portion 6 of the retainer, the other sides of the portions 5 taperin to merge into the beading Sittbeeldso! loopedmemberfi. Ad 'acent the central portion of the upper and ower parts 5 of the loop the heading 8 is preferably widened to the other edge of the retainer, as illustrated, to form the bosses 9 around the apertures 10 and 11 formed to receive the connecting pin 4 It will be understood that the associated key 2 is formed with a corresponding aperture there- In embodiment now being considered the lower aperture 11 is elongated to correspond substantially with a flattened frustrula of a mm, the vertex being inward of the retainer wherebwhen the split or bifurcated end 12 of correspond with the cylindrica shank portion 13 of the pin 4. r

Beierr' now to the embodiment of my inmdion histnated in Figures 4 and 5, a construction is there disclosed which is identical with the first embodiment, except that the up er portion 5 of the retaining loop 3 is med with an aperture 10 themthm corresponding 1n ize and sha e with aperture 11 of the first embodiment,

filereby making it ,im ossible to apply the retaining loop 3' 4 Sid down, as either ap- 8th!!! may be use interchangeably for recoining fire split end of the pin. The shank 13 of the in 4 is formed adjacent the bead thereof with an elongated tapering portion 14 iormed to correspond with the size and uh? 'oi the aperture 10. The interfittin tween the pin 4* and the corre- Ipondingly :Eonmed aperture 10'' results in a construction which prevents the pin from damning with respect to the washer or loop 8 well .as providing for application of said washer with either side up;

Having thus described my invention, I

1. .A retainer adapted for use with draft keys .comprisinga looped member fitting over the endof a key,.the upper and lower portions of said loop being proyided with apertures adapted to register with an aperture near the end (if said key, and a pin extending in said apertures Baid pin being termed with a head iimiting downward movement, and a bifurmtadend spread in place for preventing 1111 desired removal thereof, the aperture receiving said bifurcated end being elongated to prevent relative turning of the pin.

2. A retainer adapted for use with draft keys comprising a looped member fitting over the and of a key, the upper and lower portions of said loop being provided with apertures adapted to register with an aperture near the end of said key, said apertures being elongated and a pin extending therein, said pin being formed with a head limiting downward movement and a bifurcated end spread in place in the direction of elongation of the correspondin a erturc for preventing undesired removalt'iiiereof, the shank of said pin adjacent said head being correspondingly elongated for preventing turning of said pin and avoiding incorrect application of the retainer. i

v3i. A retainer adapted for use with draft keyscomprising a looped member fitting over the end of a key, the upper and lower portions of said 100 being provided with outwardly e ongated apertures general- 1y corresponding in shape with flattened frustums of cones, said apertures being identical in size and sha e whereby the looped mem er may he applie .to the key with either side up, an. a pin extending in said apertures, said pin being formed with a headlimiting downward m vement, an adjacent shank portion corresponding in size and shape with an aperture in said loo ed member, and a bifurcated end adapted to e spread in place in the direction of elon ation of the corresponding aperture in said looped member for preventing undesired removal of said pin.

4. In Combination, a draft key apertured near an end thereof, a retainer comprising a looped member fitting over the end of said key, the upper and lower portions of said member being provided with apertures registering with the aperture in said key, said apertures being elongated, and a pin extending therein, said pin being formed with a head limiting downward movement and a bifurcated and spread in place in the direction of elongation of the corresponding aperture for preventin undesired removal thereof, the shank of sai pin adjacent said head being correspondingly elongated for preventing turning of said pin and avoiding incorrect application of the retainer.

5. In combination, a railway draft kcy apertured near an end thereof, a retainer comprisin a looped member fitting over the end of sai key, the upper and lower portions of said loop being provided with outwardly flaring elongated apertures generally corresponding in shape with flattened frustums of cones, said apertures being identical in size and shape whereby the looped member may be applied to the key with either side up, and a pin extending in said apertures, said pin being formed with a head limiting downward movement, an adjacent shank portion corresponding in size and shape with an aperture in said looped member, and a bifurcated end i spread in place in the direction of elongation of the corresponding aperture in said looped member for preventing undesired removal of said pin. i

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DONALD s. BARROWS. 

